The Ekweremadu: Umahi is endless

Wrapped in the euphoria of the Yuletide, what beclouds the vision of practising and career politicians had always been kinship or communal philanthropy. This unfortunately offers  them the ample opportunity to market their seasonal piety and philanthropy.

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Not too many look inwards into the past to mirror the future in recognising their fallen compatriots. In the case of the Honourable Minister for Works, Senator David Umahi and his historic visit to the mother of the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, what could be described as visit of the century has taken place.

Umahi took time out of his tight schedule as customary to him as a workaholic, to pay that visit. Beyond the veil of ordinary visit to the mother of a brother who also could be described as his own mother, what could be taken from it is far from being an ordinary visit.

At the borderline of this lies the true definition of humanity in search of healing. Ekweremadu who has been serving prison term in the United Kingdom over allegation of organ harvesting has almost become history in the minds of his fellow politicians.

For them, once a man stumbles and falls, his office, let another take and his inheritance, let others cart away. Sadly Ike Ekweremadu, propelled by love for his family and daughter got into this mess not because he wanted but fate was cruel as he struggled to save his beautiful daughter’s life.

While normal politicians relapsed in the euphoria of the season, making merry, not too many people including his friends, political associates and even family members remembered this great man who touched many lives during his stint at the National Assembly.

Umahi in his unpardonable penchant for remembering friends and those whose path crossed with his decided to pay a visit to the family and gave them hope that all hope is not lost.

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His visit was both historic and symbolic as it offered the destruat mother of Ekweremadu a new lease of hope. Leveraging on the show of love by the Minister who conveyed the message of hope, solidarity of Mr. President and his family.

The visit also offers another chapter in the representative democracy where the leaders at all levels show commitment to the lead. It was a moment of rejuvenation for the Ekweremadus. Umahi’s visit was a clear demonstration of solidarity with the family at the moment of their trouble.

When appraised from another perspective, Umahi demonstrated a rare character of a Nigerian politician who snores from alcoholic hangover in celebration of the downfall of another seen as a political threat.

While others saw the incarceration of Ekweremadu as divinely to give way for their ascension to high offices, Umahi saw a brother in distress, a man who could have been on ground to take care of his own aged mother at Christmas.

To fill that gap and to show Madam Ekweremadu that she has a son in Umahi, the Minister chose among other days, Christmas day to show her love and give her the message of solidarity and courage from the Presidency.

If Ekweremadu were to be in the country and still in his elements, his house would have been another political pilgrimage centre for self serving politicians who only flock around people in power to remain afloat.

In the funny Igbo saying which unfortunately is true, “Onye egburu, e suo be ya oku”, anyone killed, his house will be burnt; the visit of Umahi has a significant message to Nigerian politicians that humanity comes before religion or politics.

Umahi was not beclouded by the fact that Ekweremadu is not in the same political party with him. They may have disagreed politically in the past. They may have had reasons to doubt or suspect each other in the cause of politicking but what bound them together is bigger than what should divide them.

In the real sense of it, Umahi is a typical example of a real man. To say the least, real men don’t feel threatened when others seek equality or even measure up. The sky is so large to accommodate all the birds.

In summary, the display of love and support by Senator David Umahi for Ekweremadu family transcends beyond Christmas homage to a visit of love, encouragement and solidarity. It shows new leadership in the South East.

Among the numerous malaise that afflict the Igbo race particularly those that parade themselves as pseudo leaders and intellectuals and crypto populists, the sight and knowledge of a fellow Igboman whose performance, be it in public or private service, is widely acknowledged and celebrated tends to stir their bile and provokes the worst of their nature.

Accordingly, they mobilise malice and the full lengths of the vicious strokes of envy to destroy the one that has risen or is celebrated or who, in whatever form or fashion, has distinguished himself. Despite these deadly arrows, Umahi has shown that he stands firstly for humanity and in doing so, it is apt to say, indeed, Umahi is endless.

*Uzor, former Chief Press Secretary to Gov David Umahi writes from Awka

The Star